Progress

40 signed

3,960 more needed

Sign the Petition to

The Mayor and City Council Members of Houston

I want the City of Houston to say enough is enough. Since 2005, the city and schools of Houston have lost nearly half a billion dollars in revenue because the owners of the most expensive office buildings have not paid their fair share in property taxes. Some of the biggest office towers in the city are paying taxes as little as 60% of the actual market value of their properties because the building owners are able to manipulate the property tax appeals process.

Who pays the price? Homeowners, our communities, our schools. In the last few years, the City of Houston has faced huge budget cuts that have affected services like immunizations for kids, air and water quality protection, parks and libraries. The school district has cut teaching staff and closed schools.

Houston is not broke. It’s time for city leaders to stand up and demand that owners of high-end “Class A” office building pay their fair share in property taxes. We are asking the city to issue an “Administrative Challenge” to the way Class A commercial property is appraised in the Harris County Appraisal District.

Signed,

Anonymous

This petition closed almost 5 years ago

How this will help

All Houstonians want safe neighborhoods, good parks, good schools for our kids, and good jobs – all things that help build strong vibrant communities.

All Houstonians want safe neighborhoods, good parks, good schools for our kids, and good jobs – all things that help build strong vibrant communities.

There is enough money to fund our schools and the public services we value. Houston is not broke. Year after year hundreds of huge office buildings in Houston aren't taxed anywhere close to their true value leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue on the table. Owners of high-end office buildings aren't paying their fair share. Since 2005, the owners of the top 500 high-end office buildings have cost Houstonian taxpayers and schools nearly $500 million in property taxes. Who pays the price? Homeowners, our communities, our schools.

It's time to take a stand for Houston's future. Houstonians have missed out on too many opportunities to invest in better schools, city services and better jobs. It's time for Houston to get off the bench and take a stand for our city's future.